This is what a sump looks like with no wc in nearly 3 years

[DracoKat]

Look up mulm / cryptic zones in rreef tank

Huh. Years in the hobby and I’m still learning new things. I’ve honestly never heard of it and I guess that’s what I got. The chaetos keeps it nice and dark

 

[dvgyfresh]

Huh. Years in the hobby and I’m still learning new things. I’ve honestly never heard of it and I guess that’s what I got. The chaetos keeps it nice and dark

Yes I think cryptic zones are vital to those that have a refugium , because macros release DOC (corals to but it’s healthy whereas macro doc is unhealthy think eating veggies vs soda /ramen) and the cryptic zone would feed off the macro doc and make it more nutritional / gone

 

[Shooter6]

That was aimed at the OP, not you. The beginning of my post was for you, including me being fully aware that he's growing macro. As I said, it's obviously not enough. I'm also not trying to be negative about the sump but if their nutrient levels aren't under control then there ya go. No need to get so defensive about the matter, we're all friends here.



Is it akin to "miracle mud"? Im not seeing anything google search on what I have.

I understood, I was just clarifying myself. That I was not saying it was mud, that I knew exactly what it was and that the only benefit would be maintaining phosphate/nitrate levels from bottoming out. Zero nutrients due to refugeums is becoming a common issue.

 

[DracoKat]

@PeterC99 and @kittenbritches as promised here’s a pic of the display tank. I have turf algae on all the rocks. But corals and everything else is doing well

 

[dvgyfresh]

@PeterC99 and @kittenbritches as promised here’s a pic of the display tank. I have turf algae on all the rocks. But corals and everything else is doing well

Tank looks great! Don’t even notice the algae with those big corals

 

[kittenbritches]

Tank looks great! Don’t even notice the algae with those big corals

I totally agree!!

 

[DracoKat]

Thank you all!

I bought a red sea pH test kit earlier today thinking my API might be faulty.

My pH is high at .12 which to me I feel explains the turf algae issue. I already did a 40-50% water change yesterday. I added GFO with my carbon in the reactor (Though probably not enough.

I'm not sure what else to do to reduce pH more- Chemipure Elite? My skimmer is on full time and pulling waste. I really don't have a lot of fish in the tank so I know it's not overpacked.

So weird that I'm suddenly having pH problems after years of no issues. all other params are good. I'm not too worried because my corals look good and not suffering

 

[Shooter6]

Thank you all!

I bought a red sea pH test kit earlier today thinking my API might be faulty.

My pH is high at .12 which to me I feel explains the turf algae issue. I already did a 40-50% water change yesterday. I added GFO with my carbon in the reactor (Though probably not enough.

I'm not sure what else to do to reduce pH more- Chemipure Elite? My skimmer is on full time and pulling waste. I really don't have a lot of fish in the tank so I know it's not overpacked.

So weird that I'm suddenly having pH problems after years of no issues. all other params are good. I'm not too worried because my corals look good and not suffering

Do you mean phosphate? Not ph? Ph should be 8.0-8.3

 

[DracoKat]

ahh, yes. oops

 

[dvgyfresh]

Lanthium chloride into skimmer cup is the easiest way for me but it is very powerful stuff

 

[DracoKat]

I will look that up. another new thing for me lol

 

[dvgyfresh]

I will look that up. another new thing for me lol

6 drops of that stuff into my skimmer cup brought phosphate from .28 to .06 and it works pretty instantly, pair this stuff with gfo and phosphate will never go above .1 but you need to be careful cuz easy to overdose and strip all phosphate

 

[DracoKat]

thanks! Time to hunt down the stuff, lol.

 

[Aqua Man]

. I have turf algae on all the rocks. But corals and everything else is doing well

How’s your CUC? I’ve battled Turf algae. The only thing that got rid of it was An Urchin. My PO4 was 0 at the time too, Hanna ULR. First I tried to starve it, gave myself Dinos!!

I’ve heard of very successful reefers that have let the Detritus build up inches thick in the sump. Sanji is one.

 

[Aqua Man]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/what’s-your-opinion-on-the-role-of-detritus-in-a-reef-tank.701884/

Good read!!

 

[DracoKat]

How’s your CUC? I’ve battled Turf algae. The only thing that got rid of it was An Urchin. My PO4 was 0 at the time too, Hanna ULR. First I tried to starve it, gave myself Dinos!!

I’ve heard of very successful reefers that have let the Detritus build up inches thick in the sump. Sanji is one.

It's pretty bare at the moment. Some snails and a Rock urchin who seems to prefer to stay on the glass. the costs of snails these days, ugh, Turbo's at my LFS is $5 each. Yikes!

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/what’s-your-opinion-on-the-role-of-detritus-in-a-reef-tank.701884/

Good read!!

Oh, thanks! I will take a peek!

 

[PeterC99]

@PeterC99 and @kittenbritches as promised here’s a pic of the display tank. I have turf algae on all the rocks. But corals and everything else is doing well

Thank you @DracoKat for posting the pics!

To me, you have a beautiful, well established reef! Maybe you are on to something with your sump?!?!

 

[DracoKat]

Thank you for the compliments @PeterC99 ! That's why Im not too concerned with the mess and the phosphates being high. if the corals seem to be happy, then I am too

 

[Dolphins18]

You should plant some mangroves in that mud. They will like it a lot, I don't clean my sumps out either. They are nasty, though not as much "mud"

 

[West1]

How do you go that long without WC’s!
I want in Lol.

seriously, I’m all ears.